The play 'The Crucible' targets the audience to look deeper into the manipulation of people's opinions resulting from one individual's accusations. In this play The Crucible; the values of truth, honesty, respect and integrity are seen as most important. Yet the authority figures in the community are presented to have none of these qualities at all. The small town of Salem sees Christianity and the Bible as dominant parts of everyone's lifestyle and where the word of God is the basis for most community actions. The play shows how manipulation by groups of individuals can influence community members to discard their religious beliefs and to outcast and in this case, kill innocent beings.
             The main character Abigail, although young, proves to hold the ability to control and convince the community that alternative practices were being performed in Salem. Abigail craved attention from John Proctor, but did not receive the confession of love she wished he would share with her.
             ABIGAIL: "I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretence Salem was; I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!" Act One, Page 30.
             So Abigail took advantage of the town of Salem plotting her revenge, her spitefulness was aimed at Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife. Abigail was so set upon having John for herself she would stop at nothing, even inflicting death upon others. Her manipulation of others to achieve her desires ends up involving community members whom all begin breaking the religious values of the town. The judges, priests and influential members of Salem were examples of this.
             The rulings and punishments, which were handed down to Rebecca Nurse were failu...